I stood frozen, staring at the burning wreckage that had been my car just moments before. My heart raced, mind flooded with fear, thinking of Jaanaâmy Mayuraâtrapped inside. This couldn't be real. We were supposed to grow old together, not be torn apart by violence.
My knees buckled, and I crumpled to the ground, tears streaming down my face. Flashes of our life together flickered through my mindâour laughter, our fights, the soft moments we shared. I thought I heard her voice, calling my name. But no, it couldnât beâ¦
Then, a gentle touch rested on my shoulder. Blinking through tears, I looked up and saw herâJaana. Mayura. My heart stopped. She was here, alive.
"Abhimaan," she whispered, her voice soft yet filled with concern. "What happened?"
I couldnât speak, just stared at her in disbelief. She was alive. She was real. Overcome with emotion, I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight, unwilling to let go. "I thought I lost you," I whispered, my voice shaking.
Mayura hugged me back, her grip just as strong. "I'm here, Abhimaan. I'm here."
The world around us disappeared, and all that mattered was her presence. She was alive. She was with me. As I breathed in her scent, I felt my racing heart begin to slow.
She pulled back slightly, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I went to meet my college friends at the crossing. I didnât tell you, and Iâm sorry."
I cupped her face, wiping away her apology with a gentle touch. "Never say sorry, Jaana. You're safe, and that's all that matters."
We stood there, wrapped in each otherâs arms, the chaos of the world fading away. Her presence was all I needed.
She looked into my eyes, her voice soft. "Letâs go home."
I nodded, still shaken. We called for another car and decided to head home, not to the office. I wasnât ready to face the day, and Mayura understood that without words.
Once home, I collapsed onto the couch, feeling the weight of the day crush me. Mayura sat beside me, her hand on my knee, her eyes searching mine. "Abhimaan, talk to me. Whatâs going on?"
I shook my head, struggling to put my feelings into words. "I thought I lost you," I said quietly, my voice barely audible.
Tears filled her eyes, and she leaned into me, wrapping her arms around me once more. "I'm here. Iâm not going anywhere."
We held each other for a long time, letting the silence speak for us. In her arms, I felt some of the tension melt away. I knew we would get through this. We could face anything, as long as we had each other.
Exhaustion hit me hard, and I felt my eyelids droop. Mayuraâs warmth was soothing, her gentle touch a balm to my frayed nerves. As I drifted into sleep, I felt her fingers stroke my hair, her whispered words a lullaby.
Even in sleep, I could feel her tears, but I didnât stir. I knew she was crying for both of usâfor the terror we had just endured. But I also knew that she was strong. She would hold me through the darkness.
---
As I sat in Abhimaanâs study, staring at the laptop screen, my heart pounded. The CCTV footage showed men planting a bomb in his car. Fear coursed through me, but I knew I had to stay calm.
I glanced at Abhimaan, asleep on the couch, blissfully unaware of the danger that had passed. What would he do when he saw this? I had no idea, but I knew I had to be strong.
Thanks to my hacking skills, I had accessed the footage, bypassing his laptopâs password. But now I was faced with a dilemma: Should I tell him the truth? Or should I shield him from the pain and anger this discovery would unleash?
As I watched the footage again, unease gripped me. Who were these men? And why had they targeted Abhimaan? My mind spun with possibilities, but one thing was clearâI had to protect him, no matter what.
Later, I found solace in the kitchen, cooking dinner. The familiar rhythm of chopping, stirring, and seasoning helped calm my nerves. Just as I was plating the food, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist.
"Jaana," Abhimaan whispered against my ear, his voice sending shivers down my spine.
I smiled, leaning back into his embrace. "I'm here. I'm safe."
He held me tighter. "I thought I lost you."
Turning in his arms, I cupped his face. His eyes were red, fear still lurking there. "You didnât lose me," I said softly. "Iâm right here."
His shoulders relaxed, and he smiled faintly. "I know, Jaana."
For a moment, everything else melted awayâthe explosion, the danger. It was just us. But then Abhimaanâs stomach growled, breaking the moment.
"I made your favorite," I said, motioning to the food.
Abhimaan chuckled, his mood lightening. "Youâre trying to distract me with food?"
I grinned. "Is it working?"
"Absolutely."
We ate together, the tension of the day slowly lifting. But as we finished, Abhimaanâs expression grew serious again.
"I need to work in my study," he said quietly. "And⦠let's not tell Maa and Papa about this. No need to worry them."
I nodded. "I wonât say a word. Go, Iâll be here."
With one last kiss on my forehead, he disappeared into his study. I watched him go, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. Whatever lay ahead, we would face it together.
---
Sitting in my study, I stared at the paused footage on my laptop, rage simmering beneath the surface. I knew exactly who these men were. They had tried to take Mayura from me.
My Jaana, my little hacker wife, had uncovered their identities. And now, it was my turn.
"You men are dead," I whispered to myself, my jaw clenched. "You just donât know it yet."
With renewed focus, I dove into the task at hand. My mind was a weapon, and I would use it to destroy every last one of them. There would be no mercy.
The game had begun. And I was ready to win, no matter the cost.
---
**Authorâs Note:**
This chapter is for my lovely readers who commented on the last one. Your author was being a little mischievous in the previous chapter ð. To make it up to you, Iâll be uploading five chapters tomorrow! Enjoy!